PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 32, 20 January 1912, Page 5

PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

PROPOSED WIDER POWERS FOR ■THE COMMONWEALTH.

MR. HOLMAN’S SUGGESTIONS

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright United Press Association.

Melbourne, January 19. The Premiers discussed Mr. Holman’s proposal for vesting in the Commonwealth wider powers. Mr. Holman opposed handing over the domestic commerce, and favoured giving power to deal with new protection tariffs, industrial arbitration, and nationalisation or control of interstate monopolies. If, he said, the States permitted internal monopolies they should stew in their own gravy. The discussion was adjourned until Mr. Holman’s draft Bill is circulated.

THE SAVINGS BANK SCHEME EXPLAINED.

MOTIONS ON MANY MATTERS

(Received 20, 8.50 a.m.) Melbourne, January 20. Mr. Fisher explained the Commonwealth proposals to the States in_ regard to the Commonwealth Savings Bank.. The Commonwealth did not intend to exclude the States. The bank was prepared to make partners on the basis of‘the States supplying portion of the capital not exceeding one half and become responsible for liabilities and share profits in proportion to the capital subscribed. Each State'woiild use the bank, as far as practicable as its bankers, the Commonwealth to take over the States’ Savings Banks. The States would have the first call on any loans to re-paj-H3avings Banks’ existing loans. They would also have the first cal! upon'three-quarters of the deposits in the States available for investment. Mr. Fisher said he was prepared to discuss the question of management. After Mr. Fisher had answered a number of queries the discussion was adjourned. Resolutions were carried appointing a committee to enquire into the questions of double income tax, bringing the various States’ company law into accord with the Brit’sh law, to further investigate the question of daylight saving, asking the Federal Government to appoint a. Royal Commission to enquire into the carriage and disposal of Australian produce in Britain and foreign countries. >